Happy New Year from all of us at North Pole Middle School! The third quarter is under way and it feels good to be back. I’d like to start with a big THANK YOU to all of you who took our “Return to School Survey”, we had 92% response rate by the end of the day Wednesday and the information is tremendously helpful, so again, thank you. January 25th is the scheduled date for middle school students to return to buildings if that is your preferred choice.

As of Wednesday here are some approximate numbers regarding the choices North Pole Middle School families are making. I don’t anticipate the numbers to change too dramatically at this point due to the small number of families remaining to respond.

• BEST Homeschool 4%
• eLearning w/a FNSBSD Instructor 10%
• In Person Instruction @ neighborhood school 69%

• Remote Instruction through neighborhood school 16%

While there is positive anticipation of students return we wouldn’t be forthcoming if we didn’t admit there is also some trepidation and nervousness. Unfortunately, over the past several months various staff members have contracted COVID and are in various stages of recovery. What I do know is that none of those individuals want to contract it again which highlights the importance of the entire North Pole Middle School learning community working together to prevent the spread while we’re in the building together. If we commit to wearing our masks throughout the day and doing our best to maintain 6’ social distancing I’m confident we can have a long term successful return to school.

In my next newsletter I’ll specifically highlight various processes that we will have in place regarding the following: approximate cohort/class sizes, student/teacher movement in the building, lunch time processes, activities and arrival and dismissal procedures. Additional information as to what the district is expecting if we have to send a student home for symptoms or if/when we have a positive case in the building will also be provided. You as families can help us to avoid sending students home or positive cases by reviewing the Staff and Student Daily Decision Trees each day prior to sending your student to school, our staff will do the same for themselves.

That’s enough for now, still plenty to do as we prepare for your student’s return. I know I’m excited and ready to see as many kids that would like to be in the building, back in the building. As always don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Regards,

Richard Smith, Principal

If your student will be absent please call our Attendance Secretary, Hailey Standish at 907-488-2271 Ext. 40502 or you can call 907-488-2271 and push 1 to leave a message on our Attendance Line.